Rick Astley is an English singer, songwriter and radio presenter with a net worth of around $18 million in 2023. Rick Astley has earned his fortune through his many hit singles, his career as a musician and singer, and his world tour. Astley became internationally known as a solo artist with his 1987 song “Never Gonna Give You Up,” which was a No. 1 hit in 25 countries.
Table of Contents
ToggleWho is Rick Astley?
He was born Richard Paul Astley on February 6, 1966 in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England, the fourth child in his family. When Rick was five years old, his parents divorced and he was raised by his father, but he remained in close contact with his mother, who lived a few blocks from his father. After Astley discovered that it was his father who kicked his mother out of the house, Astley became estranged from his father.
He began singing at the age of 10 when he joined the local church choir. While in high school, Astley formed a number of local bands in which he played drums. In one of these groups, he met guitarist David Morris. After leaving school at the age of 16, Astley found work as a driver on his father’s market garden by day and played drums at the Northern Club at night in bands such as Give Way, who covered songs by the Beatles and Shadows, and FBI. , a soul group, which has won several local talent competitions.
Rick Astley appeared as drummer with FBI in 1985 with David Morris on guitar. They were well-known artists locally and wrote and performed their own music. After lead singer FBI left the group and Morris left the band to focus on a career as a hairdresser, Astley decided to become lead singer.
At this point he attracted the attention of record producer Pete Waterman, who persuaded him to come to London to work at the Pete Waterman Limited recording studio at RCA Records and release his records. Through this process, Astley learned the ins and outs of the recording process and prepared himself for his future career, reportedly beginning his career as a “tea boy” or gofer in the recording studio.
Astley’s first single was the little-known “When You Gunna”, released in collaboration with Lisa Carter and received little promotion. The song failed to enter the charts. His first solo album was a grand slam: “Never Gonna Give You Up,” recorded on New Year’s Day 1987 and released eight months later.
It was Astley’s distinctive deep, rich voice, combined with dance-pop, that made the song an instant hit. It spent five weeks at the top of the UK charts and became the best-selling single of the year. It was also a world number one, reaching the top of the charts in 24 other countries, including the United States.
The song also won Best British Single at the 1988 BRIT Awards and he performed it to a worldwide audience of 100 million people. The song was only the first of 13 worldwide hit singles for him. Astley’s next single was “Whenever You Need Somebody”, released in October of the same year. It became a European hit, reaching number 1 in seven countries and number 3 in the United Kingdom. The song was not released in North America.
His album Whenever You Need Somebody was released in November 1987 and contained four tracks written by Astley. The album reached number 1 in the UK and Australia and number 10 in the US. It has been certified 4x Platinum in the UK and Canada and 2x Platinum in the US. The album sold 15.2 million copies worldwide, making Astley the best-selling British act of the year.
As for his life off stage, Astley is married to Lene Bausager, with whom he has a daughter, Emilie, born in 1992.
How many houses and cars does Rick Astley own?
Rick Astley lives in his mansion in the town of Molesey in Surrey and it is the only known house. He also owns several cars.
How much does Rick Astley make per year?
Annual. Rick Astley earns over $1 million.
What investments does Rick Astley have?
Rick Astley has stock investments and extensive real estate holdings.
How many endorsement deals has Rick Astley done?
He only has one known endorsement deal, that with CoverGirl Cosmetics.
How many philanthropies has Rick Astley supported?
Rick Astley is the well-known ambassador for the charity Everyone Of Us, which supports children in need.
How many businesses does Rick Astley own?
The singer-songwriter owns at least five companies. It ranges from trendy restaurants. He owns several restaurants (the Fat Astley Burger chain) in Washington and a football team (the Newton-le-Willows Angels).
Furthermore, he also launched his own brand of vodka (Pure Wonderastley – USA) and targets the junior market with a successful perfume (With Love from Rick) and a clothing line called “Rick Astley Seduction”.